HBO Group Assignment 2

- By Group 11

We have taken four situations or characters and analysed them with respect to their
behaviours:
1) Sergey Brin from online portals
2) Robert from The Lost Symbol (Novel)
3) Sunil Puri from Movie- Rocket Singh: Salesman of the year
4) Chandler from FRIENDS( Tv Series)
 Character: SERGEY BRIN
Designation: Co-founder, GOOGLE

Introduction: Despite being a late entrant to the search game, Google now rules the world.
Sergey Brin and Larry Page are amongst the top young innovators in the world.
In several newspapers, Sergey Brin has been rightly quoted as the ‘Enlightenment man’.
The 40-year-old man has made a steady position in the top billionaires list in the world.
Sergey is a keen believer of innovation and vision. Brin and Page’s venture has come up with
several innovative products such as Adwords, Google News, Google Maps, Gmail, Android
Mobile operating systems etc. Brin is currently also busy with several projects such as
google.org. He is one of the principle investors in Tesla Motors.

“Google co-founder Sergey Brin was not money-chasing businessman, but hacker who
truly wanted to build the best search technology in the world. He had no clue what
practical applications any of Google’s work would have when he maxed out his personal
credit cards to buy servers and computer parts; he simply knew he was onto something and
felt a burning desire to bring superior technology into being. Indeed, virtually every
dominant search engine of the mid to late 1990s passed up the chance to buy Google
before its breakout as the Internet juggernaut. It wasn't until the launch of Google
AdWords that the company found any substantial or enduring way to capitalize on its
mega-popular search engine, and that was just fine with Brin. While he certainly wanted to
get paid, innovation was always at the forefront and led to him getting his enormous
payday.”

Source:1) John Battelle's book "The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of
Business”
2) https://successstory.com/inspiration/9-success-quotes-from-google-founder-sergey-brin

The incident reported in John Battelle's book "The Search: How Google and Its Rivals
Rewrote the Rules of Business", tells us so much about Brin’s personality and behaviour.
After reading about Brin in the book, we encountered a new dimension about Google Co-
founders’ Personality.
When we analysed his personality through Big Five Personality Model, we concluded he
showed these traits:
1) Openness: “While he certainly wanted to get paid, innovation was always at the forefront
and led to him getting his enormous payday” This displayed that he is creative and
innovative which led to higher performance of his company.
2) Conscientiousness: He “truly wanted to build the best search technology in the world”
which clearly indicated his persistence towards his work. As a responsible and dependable
leader, he has grown the company like family over the years. It was this passion that kept him
motivated.

Other personality traits that we observed are:

Risk Taker: “He had no clue what practical applications any of Google’s work would have
when he maxed out his personal credit cards to buy servers and computer parts; he simply
knew he was onto something and felt a burning desire to bring superior technology into
being.” This risk taking nature of Sergey Brin made Google what it is today.

Core self-Evaluation: He has positive core self-evaluations as he has some ambitious goals, is
more committed to goals, and persist longer in attempting to reach the goals.

Proactive Personality: He identified the opportunity, took various initiatives and actions, and
persevere until meaningful change occurs. And we all know. what Google has achieved ,
giving back a lot to society

Few more quotes that reflect Brin’s personality:

1) "We wouldn't survive if people didn't trust us"

From this statement we can say that Brin is high on need for affiliation.

2) “To me, this is about preserving history and making it available to everyone."

"Solving big problems is easier than solving little problems."

"Obviously everyone wants to be successful, but I want to be looked back on as being very
innovative, very trusted and ethical and ultimately making a big difference in the world."

- Based on Holland’s typology of personality, we can infer from these statements that Brin
is a social and enterprising person.

Other traits that reflected his behaviour included the following:

We can also infer that Brin has high job satisfaction from working in Google.
He love his job, he is passionate about what he does. He feels associated to the work, to the
work environment.
Thus, he is highly involved and engaged in the job and is psychologically empowered by his
job. He is really very committed for the organisation he works for.

Motivational theory: Based on theory X and Y of McGregor, Sergey Brin is under the
category of theory Y as he likes doing work and is very creative, who can self direct the
things. People like him spread positivity, encouraging others to work and devote, as they
themselves are.
The Lost Symbol
 Reference- CHAPTER 2
The Otis elevator climbing the south pillar of the Eiffel Tower was overflowing with tourists.
Inside the cramped lift, an austere businessman in a pressed suit gazed down at the boy
beside him. “You look pale, son. You should have stayed on the ground.”
“I’m okay . . .” the boy answered, struggling to control his anxiety. “I’ll get out on the next
level.” I can’t breathe.The man leaned closer. “I thought by now you would have gotten over
this.” He brushed the child’s cheek affectionately.
The boy felt ashamed to disappoint his father, but he could barely hear through the ringing in
his ears. I can’t breathe. I’ve got to get out of this box!
The elevator operator was saying something reassuring about the lift’s articulated pistons and
puddled-iron construction. Far beneath them, the streets of Paris stretched out in all
directions.Almost there, the boy told himself, craning his neck and looking up at the
unloading platform. Just hold on.
As the lift angled steeply toward the upper viewing deck, the shaft began to narrow, its
massive struts contracting into a tight, vertical tunnel.
“Dad, I don’t think—”
Suddenly a staccato crack echoed overhead. The carriage jerked, swaying awkwardly to one
side. Frayed cables began whipping around the carriage, thrashing like snakes. The boy
reached out for his father.
“Dad!” Their eyes locked for one terrifying second.
Then the bottom dropped out. Robert Langdon jolted upright in his soft leather seat, startling
out of the semiconscious daydream. He was sitting all alone in the enormous cabin of a
Falcon 2000EX corporate jet as it bounced its way through turbulence. In the background, the
dual Pratt & Whitney engines hummed evenly.
“Mr. Langdon?” The intercom crackled overhead. “We’re on final approach.”
Langdon sat up straight and slid his lecture notes back into his leather daybag. He’d been
halfway through reviewing Masonic symbology when his mind had drifted. The daydream
about his late father, Langdon suspected, had been stirred by this morning’s unexpected
invitation from Langdon’s longtime mentor, Peter Solomon.
The other man I never want to disappoint.
The fifty-eight-year-old philanthropist, historian, and scientist had taken Langdon under his
wing nearly thirty years ago, in many ways filling the void left by Langdon’s father’s death.
Despite the man’s influential family dynasty and massive wealth, Langdon had found
humility and warmth in Solomon’s soft gray eyes.
Outside the window the sun had set, but Langdon could still make out the slender silhouette
of the world’s largest obelisk, rising on the horizon like the spire of an ancient gnomon. The
555-foot marble-faced obelisk marked this nation’s heart. All around the spire, the meticulous
geometry of streets and monuments radiated outward.
Even from the air, Washington, D.C., exuded an almost mystical power. Langdon loved this
city, and as the jet touched down, he felt a rising excitement about what lay ahead. The
jet taxied to a private terminal somewhere in the vast expanse of Dulles International Airport
and came to a stop.
Langdon gathered his things, thanked the pilots, and stepped out of the jet’s luxurious interior
onto the foldout staircase. The cold January air felt liberating. Breathe, Robert, he thought,
appreciating the wide-open spaces. A blanket of white fog crept across the runway, and
Langdon had the sensation he was stepping into a marsh as he descended onto the misty
tarmac. “Hello! Hello!” a singsong British voice shouted from across the tarmac. “Professor
Langdon?” Langdon looked up to see a middle-aged woman with a badge and clipboard
hurrying toward him, waving happily as he approached. Curly blond hair protruded from
under a stylish knit wool hat.
“Welcome to Washington, sir!”
Langdon smiled. “Thank you.”
“My name is Pam, from passenger services.” The woman spoke with an exuberance that was
almost unsettling. “If you’ll come with me, sir, your car is waiting.”
Langdon followed her across the runway toward the Signature terminal, which was
surrounded by glistening private jets. A taxi stand for the rich and famous.
“I hate to embarrass you, Professor,” the woman said, sounding sheepish, “but you are the
Robert Langdon who writes books about symbols and religion, aren’t you?”
Langdon hesitated and then nodded.
“I thought so!” she said, beaming. “My book group read your book about the sacred feminine
and the church! What a delicious scandal that one caused! You do enjoy putting the fox in the
henhouse!” Langdon smiled. “Scandal wasn’t really my intention.”
The woman seemed to sense Langdon was not in the mood to discuss his work. “I’m sorry.
Listen to me rattling on. I know you probably get tired of being recognized . . . but it’s your
own fault.” She playfully motioned to his clothing. “Your uniform gave you away.”
My uniform? Langdon glanced down at his attire. He was wearing his usual charcoal
turtleneck, Harris Tweed jacket, khakis, and collegiate cordovan loafers . . . his standard attire
for the classroom, lecture circuit, author photos, and social events.
The woman laughed. “Those turtlenecks you wear are so dated. You’d look much sharper in
a tie!”
No chance, Langdon thought. Little nooses. Neckties had been required six days a week when
Langdon attended Phillips Exeter Academy, and despite the headmaster’s romantic claims
that the origin of the cravat went back to the silk fascalia worn by Roman orators to warm
their vocal cords, Langdon knew that, etymologically, cravat actually derived from a ruthless
band of “Croat” mercenaries who donned knotted neckerchiefs before they stormed into
battle. To this day, this ancient battle garb was donned by modern office warriors hoping to
intimidate their enemies in daily boardroom battles.
“Thanks for the advice,” Langdon said with a chuckle. “I’ll consider a tie in the future.”
Mercifully, a professional-looking man in a dark suit got out of a sleek Lincoln Town Car
parked near the terminal and held up his finger. “Mr. Langdon? I’m Charles with Beltway
Limousine.” He opened the passenger door. “Good evening, sir. Welcome to Washington.”
Langdon tipped Pam for her hospitality and then climbed into the plush interior of the Town
Car. The driver showed him the temperature controls, the bottled water, and the basket of hot
muffins. Seconds later, Langdon was speeding away on a private access road. So this is how
the other half lives.
As the driver gunned the car up Windsock Drive, he consulted his passenger manifest and
placed a quick call. “This is Beltway Limousine,” the driver said with professional efficiency.
“I was asked to confirm once my passenger had landed.” He paused. “Yes, sir. Your guest,
Mr. Langdon, has arrived, and I will deliver him to the Capitol Building by seven P.M.
You’re welcome, sir.” He hung up.
Langdon had to smile. No stone left unturned. Peter Solomon’s attention to detail was one of
his most potent assets, allowing him to manage his substantial power with apparent ease. A
few billion dollars in the bank doesn’t hurt either.
Langdon settled into the plush leather seat and closed his eyes as the noise of the airport
faded behind him. The U.S. Capitol was a half hour away, and he appreciated the time alone
to gather his thoughts. Everything had happened so quickly today that Langdon only now had
begun to think in earnest about the incredible evening that lay ahead.
Arriving under a veil of secrecy, Langdon thought, amused by the prospect.
Ten miles from the Capitol Building, a lone figure was eagerly preparing for Robert
Langdon’s arrival.

Behaviour (at workplace)

1. Robert’s Personality type:
 He seems to be low on extraversion as he was not that comfortable when
greeted by the woman from passenger services. A
 It can be deduced that he is high on Agreeableness. It can be observed when
he agreed to the passenger service’s woman’s advice of wearing neckties
rather than the dated attire he was comfortable wearing.
 In the starting paragraph, it can be seen that he gets stressed and
uncomfortable when inside closed spaces. So it can be said fairly that he his
emotional stability would score high in the negative direction.

2. Components of Attitude:
 Cognitive- ‘My Uniform.’ In page 3, when he was just struck with a comment
that his clothes as out dated
 Affective- ‘No Chance, Langdon thought, Little Nooses.’ His direct reaction to
that statement was that he found ties to be uncomfortable.
 Behavioral- “Thanks for the advice,” Langdon said with a chuckle. “I’ll
consider a tie in the future.” Despite his reluctance to wear a tie, he agreed
with her and thanked her for her advice.

3. Hofstede’s Value Dimension:

 Power Distance- ‘So this is how the other half lives’ We can see here that
Robert, himself being from a well-settled family, know how much difference
there is between the rich and the poor and even the upper middle-class people.
This shows that though the difference is quiet clear, he accepts this fact.
 Character: Sunil Puri, MD, AYS

Movie: Rocket Singh, Salesman of the year

Positive workplace behaviour

 Organizational commitment
Puri’s commitment towards his organization can be seen in various
scenes in the movie. One such instance is when he says “Jab khoon
pasina ek sath kaagaz pe chapta hai na, table bed ban jaati hai aur office
ghar, bhook pyaas bhool jaati hia, baal bachche rul jaate hia, tab jaake
company banti hai”, translating to ‘When you put your blood on the
paper, make office your home and table your bed, and forget about
hunger and thirst and family and kids, only then one is able to form a
company.
Video’s link: https://youtu.be/EHu0LfUvee4

 Encouraging employee engagement

Instance from the movie where Puri encouraged employee engagement
is when he says ‘Every man has two types of characteristics. One which
can take him up, and the other which can make him fall. The
characteristic which wins determines the quality of the man’s life.’
This encouraged Harpreet (Ranbir) to work harder to achieve success,
thus increasing his engagement at the workplace.

Negative Workplace Behaviour

 Promoting workplace deviance

Puri set unachievable targets for his employees. He increased the sales
targets as per his wish, increasing pressure on his employees.
This promoted Workplace Deviance amongst his employees. This can be
seen when Harpreet Singh (Ranbir Kapoor) uses the company’s
resources on the job and forms his own company and drives the
customers away from AYS to his own company.
Machiavellianism
High on Machiavellianism, as he believed in personally meeting with the concerned person
instead of indirectly contacting them. Instance: Personally met a client and persuaded him to
place an order with his company again.

Narcissism

Sunil is clearly seen as an arrogant person, with a grandiose sense of self Importance. He was
in the industry since the past 30 years, and believed no one knew more about the industry
than him and no one could beat him and his tactics of doing business.

McCleland’s Theory of Motivation

 Need for power: High

 Need of achievement: High
 Need for affiliation: Low
Big 5 personality traits:

 Extraversion: Extravert. Displayed various instances throughout the movie for the
same.
 Emotional stability: High on emotional stability. Calmly and smartly handled the heat
of competition and tackled it instead of being stressed out from the same.
 Openness to experience: showed traits of openness to experience. This can be seen
when he states that he has been working in the computer industry since the past 30
years, and has constantly moved on and adopted the new technology which has come
up. 8 years in the typewriter industry, 12 years in the fax machine industry, and 10
years in the computers industry.
 Conscientiousness: High on Conscientiousness. He was shown as an organized,
responsible and persistent character.
 Agreeableness: Low on agreeableness. Various instances in the movie where he
disagreed with his employees and co-workers and imposed his orders on them. For ex:
He hired Harpreet (Ranbir) even when his subordinate was reluctant to hire him.
 THE ONE WITH CHANDLER’S WORK LAUGH
The situation is from an episode of the popular TV show, “Friends”. Chandler, one of the
“friends”, is enjoying in a work-related party with his girlfriend, Monica. They meet with
Chandler’s boss and Monica notices Chandler being fake in front of his boss by laughing at
his tasteless jokes. Monica believes Chandler sucks up to his boss quite as much.

1. Chandler’s personality type : - Two aspects of the Big Five model are visible in this
situation. We can deduce from this instance that Chandler is high on extraversion and
agreeableness. He is sociable and clearly he is agreeing with his boss by laughing at
his jokes even when he doesn’t think his jokes to be funny.
Another personality trait Chandler possesses here is that he is a high self-monitor. He
is able to adjust his behaviour to external, situational factors. High self-monitors
sometimes disguise themselves in such a way that they present striking contradictions
between their public persona and their private self.

2. Components of attitude : -
Cognitive component – Chandler says to Monica, “That was my work laugh”
Affective component – Chandler says to Monica, “If you are going to survive in this
party, you’re going to have to come up with one too.”
Behavioural component – Monica replies, ”All right. Check me out(when I try).”

3. Hofstede’s value dimension : -

Indulgence versus restraint – The American work culture shown here is leaning more
towards indulgence where it is alright for people to enjoy life, have fun, and fulfil
natural human desires. The characters are on an office party, having fun drinking and
socializing.